Welcome to"Mike's Memo," an update on what's
happening in the 48th Legislative District, the State Capitol, and the progress
of my legislative priorities. If you haven't done so already, please take a few
moments to visit my website at
www.senatorfolmer.com to learn more about issues that may affect you and
your family.

Week of November 30, 2015

Elimination of School Property TaxesThis week the Senate fell one vote short to eliminate school property
taxes as Lieutenant Governor Stack broke a
24-24 tie vote to kill an amendment that would have added the provisions of
Senate Bill 76 to another bill. Though I’m disappointed, this is not the
end. The vote was truly historic and I want to thank my colleague
Senator Argall, and his staff, for taking the lead on these much needed and
long overdue reforms. Also, thank you to the 22 other Senators who supported
Senator Argall and me. Most importantly, to our grassroots supporters, rest
assured: the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the
dream shall never die. You can listen to my floor comments here:
https://pasen.wistia.com/medias/4em4hxwoid.

Bills Pass Senate, Go to HouseAll bills passed unanimously unless otherwise noted.
Senate Bill 482 – places a fee on final judicial sale of properties that are
to be demolished and rehabilitated to address blight and abandoned properties;
Senate Bill 735 – allows mobile retail food facilities to operate in certain
multiple jurisdictions without having to pay fees in each county;
Senate Bill 859 and
Senate Bill 860 – (37-10) merges the Department of
Corrections
and the Board of
Probation and
Parole into the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (I was not able
to support these measures due to concerns with implementation);
Senate Bill 912 – (48-2) $244.4 Million appropriation to Pennsylvania State
University;
Senate Bill 913 – (48-2) $29.6 Million appropriation to University of
Pennsylvania;
Senate Bill 914 – (48-2) $146.9 Million appropriation to Temple University;
Senate Bill 915 – (48-2) $143.1 Million appropriation to University of
Pittsburgh;
Senate Bill 916 – (48-2) $14 Million appropriation to Lincoln University;
Senate Bill 984 – (48-2) regulates Transportation Network Companies (Uber
and Lyft);
Senate Bill 1065 – adds falconry to the list of exemptions for Sunday
hunting;
House Bill 477 – the Activities and Experiences for Children in Out-of-Home
Placement Act to help children in foster care.

Syrian RefugeesThe Senate State
Government Committee, which I chair, reported out
Senate Resolution 248, “directing the Governor to reject the placement of
Syrian refugees within the Commonwealth until the federal government establishes
increased security procedures to screen refugees coming from this region.” The
Resolution will “request the President of the United States to direct the
Department of Homeland Security to review its
security procedures for vetting refugees and to send a report detailing the
increased measures to the states that are under consideration to receive
refugees.” The full Senate adopted this Resolution,
37-13.

Sympathies and Condolences to FranceThe Senate unanimously adopted
Senate Resolution 249, “extending sympathies and heartfelt condolences to
the families of those killed and injured in the terrorist attack in Paris,
France.”

Route 230 Bridge Rehab over Swatara Creek in MiddletownThe PA Department of Transportation (PennDOT)
installed temporary traffic signals and will set a barrier and close a lane on
the Route 230 bridge over the Swatara Creek at the east end of Middletown
Borough, Dauphin County on December 7. The $4,340,500 contract was awarded to
Kinsley Construction, Inc. of York County to demolish and replace the
superstructure, repair existing concrete piers and abutments, improve drainage,
install scour protection, do roadway approach work, and replace guardrails. The
steel thru-girder bridge was built in 1941 and is considered structurally
deficient.
PennDOT advises that traffic will be restricted to a single 12-foot lane on
one side of the bridge around-the-clock until October 2016. The sidewalk will
also be closed during construction. Route 230, known as Main Street in
Middletown and Harrisburg Pike east of the borough, averages 6,130 vehicles
traveled daily.

Contact InformationPlease feel free to contact me at any time on state-related issues that are
of concern to you. I may be reached through my
website or my Lebanon or Harrisburg offices.

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